[A meta-analysis of therapeutic trials with ademetionine in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis].

Abstract

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (ademethionine) has been recently proposed as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis (IHC), a syndrome that overlaps with many different types of liver diseases. To obtain a global assessment of the results of the therapeutic efficacy of this compound, a meta-analysis of 6 controlled clinical trials with ademethionine in the symptomatic treatment of IHC of liver diseases and pregnancy was carried out. The therapeutic response to ademethionine treatment, for 15 to 30 days, proved to be superior to placebo, as assessed by resolution of pruritus, normalisation or 50% improvement in serum total bilirubin, serum conjugated bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase. At present, the therapeutic effect of ademethionine should be regarded as symptomatic, but long term studies on the effect of drug administration on the course of the disease and survival are being performed.

• Authors: M Frezza
• Journal: Annali italiani di medicina interna : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di medicina interna (Ann Ital Med Int) Vol. 8 Suppl Pg. 48S-51S (Oct 1993) ISSN: 0393-9340 [Print] Italy
• Vernacular Title: Metanalisi dei trial terapeutici con ademetionina nel trattamento della colestasi intraepatica.
• PMID: 8117521 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Meta-Analysis)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• S-Adenosylmethionine

Topics

• Chi-Square Distribution
• Cholestasis, Intrahepatic (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Confidence Intervals
• Humans
• Odds Ratio
• Placebos
• S-Adenosylmethionine (therapeutic use)